Big Grizzly Bear

So, this weekend, something crazy happened. A big grizzly bear attacked me. Just came up on it's hind legs and growled and attacked. Barely got away. I ran fast. :)

Ok, not really. Real story is not quite as exciting as I wish it was... oh well.

So, this led to...

this and...

this. Which then took me to...

this. Which then led me to...

this... Which led to...

this flat line... ok just kidding.

But then I got this lovely mess.

Oh... the adventure of meeting a grizzly bear on a Sunday afternoon... :)

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Things I'm Glad I Have

Paycheck

Prayer

Family

Glade Fresh Cotton Plugins

Homemade Bread

Pajamas

Chris Tomlin

Simply Fresh Orange Juice

Phil 1:6

A Listening God

The Ripple Effect

My dear friend Hannah, (she is so wise) gave me a wonderful analogy to life recently... and I wanted to write about it...

Healing is like a pebble being thrown in a pond. You know... when you throw something into water, like a pebble, it makes all those ripples. The stone might first make a big splash. Water going in the air, slapping back down on the body of water. It effects the water around it, making large waves, with huge intensity, hitting whatever is close with force. It is not only a strong force, but the water is quick, rapidly moving up and down, hitting everything near it over and over.

As the stone begins to sink to the bottom, the splash settles down. But the water ripples have already started. The are bobbing up and down away from the stone splash, effecting the little ducks and sticks and whatever is in the water near it...

The ripples start out pretty strong, but as time goes on, the ripples are less intense and there are fewer of them.

And eventually, the water is calm again. The pebble has sunk to the bottom of the water, and the movement from that stone is gone...

And that, as Hannah said, is like the healing process. A tragic thing hits us hard. Unexpectedly, with a great impact and intensity, rocking our world. As time goes on, the intensity of hurt fades. The memory of the situation, never leaves completely. And, I am glad for that. But thankfully the pain and hurt settles down and lessens. That is where I am at. The intensity of life's heartaches have become less. But, there are the ripples. And I can go a long time without feeling the effects of that big heartache. The ripples are spreading out... but they are there.

This week, one of those ripples hit me. I don't know where it came from exactly. But it came. And my heart aches again. I relive the pain and cope with the brokenness.

But through all this, I have learned that dealing with brokenness is not a Rebecca thing. It is Rebecca letting God work through my life thing, being willing to let Him teach me and grow me more into His likeness.

"He who began a good work, is faithful to complete it." Phil 1:6

"You will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. Jer 29:21

"I have loved you with an everlasting love, I have drawn you with lovingkindness." Jer 31:3

"When Your words came, I ate them, and they were my joy and my heart's delight." Jer 15:16

Labor Day Thoughts

A few random things I've thought during this Labor Day weekend.

1. There is a place near my house that had hot air balloon rides this weekend. It was actually right behind the school I teach at. It was neat to see them "take off." They really are huge! Riding in a hot air balloon is on my bucket list of things to do. I love adventure things like that... how amazing would it be to just float in the air?! It was cool to see the process it took to fly- from the massive balloon lying on the ground to them floating high up in the sky.

2. Call me crazy... but I like the taste of liquid cold medicine. Yeah, the "cough syrup" kind. I like the way is tastes. Is that strange? Or have they just been able to flavor medicine to taste really good these days? I remember having to eat a saltine cracker after taking a spoonful of cough syrup when I was little. Tears in the corner of my eyes, nose and eyes squinched-up as I took the medicine in one gulp. I hated the taste then. Now... don't mind. :)

3. When washing my hair, I always try to massage my head like my stylist does... it never is the same... Anyone else? My sister, who is wise, says that a haircut is not a good haircut unless the stylist massages your head. I agree. If your stylist does not massage your head, you need to look for a new one.

4. I learned that my new brother in law is an expert at medical diagnosis based on snot. How do these people become so wise?

5. It's amazing how much kids absorb... and what they absorb! :) Teaching kindergarten has opened my eyes this year. It has only been 5 short weeks, but it has been awesome to see how much these kiddos have learned! Most of them have learned how to count, write numbers, sit for short periods of time... Although working in 4th grade was a blast, and rewarding, I really get to see the spark of learning everyday in the eyes of my kiddos. To some of these kids, reading a book is a new experience, holding a pencil is new, being hugged... is new. And it is so wonderful to be part of that.

this is good.

I am elated right now... the Colts schedule looks great...

Living in Kentucky, I've learned that most Kentucky NFL fans (which are few. Most people can't think of anything other than UK Wildcats) around here are Cincinnati fans. And you see, in the past Cincinnati normally play the 1:00 games, as do the Colts. So, the network decides to play the Cincinnati Bengals games, rather than the Colts games. Well, I was checking out the schedule, and as you may already know, the Colts are playing more 4:00 games and Sunday night games... meaning I'll get to actually watch them this year!!! I'm pretty excited.